What's In Your Tool Box?
Talking to Young Children about Bias and Prejudice
Hate is Learned And Can be Unlearned
Children have to be taught to hate and fear. They are not born with those attributes. Hate is learned, and there is no doubt in my mind that it can be unlearned. Leading research on child development indicate that the problem begins as early as preschool, and in most cases, children have already learned stereotypes or acquired negative attitudes toward "others:" It is important to counter those negatives with positives beginning at an early age.
Louise Derman-Sparks, an educator and specialist on child development, points to four major issues that are important to keep in mind when talking to children about prejudice and discrimination.
- Children are not colorblind: children do notice people of different ethnicities, and they need honest explanations about these differences. It is essential for us as educators and parents to be equipped to give accurate but straightforward answers to their questions.
- Talking about differences does not increase prejudice in children: awareness is the best tool we have in our toolbox when talking about differences. Children learn biases from the adults in their lives, from their peers, from books and the media. Parent, teachers, and adult family members need to talk to their kids and give them the correct information about the value of diversity as opposed to prejudices and stereotypes. We need to make sure we are sending the right message.
- It is not enough to talk about similarities among people: our children need to understand that in many ways we are similar but that we sometimes differ in express language and customs.
- Talking to Children About Diversity: it is essential to keep in mind that a child is never too young to learn about diversity. Children start as early as toddlers noticing people with disabilities, and as soon as two and three they see culture and gender. As they began to observe these differences, they may show signs of pre-prejudice and act afraid or uncomfortable but do not know how to express what they are feeling. At this point, they may begin to ask questions. It is essential to share information with them that is age appropriate and share books, music, folktales, and traditions that are culturally diverse.
Creating such an environment is rich in possibilities for exploring diversity:
- It helps children develop their ideas about themselves and others
- It creates the conditions under which children initiate conversations about differences
- It provides adults with a setting for introducing activities about diversity
Talking to Young Children about Bias and Prejudice. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/talking-to-young-children-about-prejudice
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Martin Rising By Andre D. & Brian Pinkney | Separate Is Never Equal By Duncan Tonatiuh |
Martin Rising
Separate Is Never Equal
Book of the Month
March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris
In March On! Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sister shares her memories of her brother and the March that changed the world. In March On, she pays tribute to the man, the march and the speech and the effect it had on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. Farris felt it was urgent that she added her voice and memories to the many chapters of history written about her brother.
Books are available in Springfield Public School Libraries
